Disney’s Frozen comes to life on stage in Singapore
The hit Broadway musical Disney’s Frozen is set to land in Singapore, its first and only stop in Southeast Asia, from Feb. 5 to March 5 at the Sands Theatre of Marina Bay Sands. The production, which promises sensational sets, stunning costumes and seasoned performers, is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions and presented by Base Entertainment Asia.
There’s a lot of expectations that come with the stage adaptation of a beloved Disney animated film about true love and sisterhood. But the Singapore show’s lead stars Jemma Rix as Elsa and Matt Lee as Olaf with resident director Benjamin Osbornwere were gung-ho about living up to those expectations as soon as the curtains get lifted.
“You know, this is huge,” said the director at an equally huge regional launch that flew in press members from all over Southeast Asia to Singapore. “The detail in the show is incredible.”
At the time of the interview, they just wrapped up a two-year run in Australia. The STAR learned that to transport the audience into the fictional world of Arendelle, the production had to fly in 45 tonnes worth of scenery and set pieces, plus 20 tonnes of automation. Audiences will also be seeing 440 costumes on stage, 120 pairs of handmade shoes, 90 wigs made out of human hair, among other details.
“It is really crazy. I mean, the set pieces are amazing,” Benjamin said.
Every night, he further noted, the “massive” proscenium — the structure in front of the stage framing the action of the musical — which is designed by British costume and set designer Christopher Oram will look “like a beautiful wooden sculpture.”
“There’s also a lot of little hidden Mickeys and easter eggs throughout the day, especially on the proscenium. So, when you come and see that, have a look at (it). All of the Disney musicals (are) maybe depicted within proscenium. It takes a very close eye to see them but they’re really fabulous,” said Benjamin.
“Jemma every night breezes over this proscenium. The magic within this production is incredible, (it) is something else,” he added.
Nevertheless, it’s not that easy to breeze over the stage because Jemma’s Ice costume is something else as well. The making of the gown took three months, two months of which were for the beadwork alone.
“It has 40,000 crystals and it feels like it has 40,000 crystals. It is so heavy,” said the actress. “It looks like it’s something quite light and delicate, but it has many kilos.”
However, the moment Jemma first put on the costume, she got teary-eyed.
“When you want something really bad and not a lot of people get the opportunity to play these characters, you feel very, very lucky and very, very special that you were the chosen one. So that feeling can feel quite overwhelming with gratitude,” she explained.
There’s a little bit of fear as well, she admitted. “Because you do get scared that you really want to live up to everyone’s expectations to be the best that they’re hoping for as a character. So there’s a lot of emotion wrapped in it, but a lot of gratitude.”
Meanwhile, Matt’s portrayal of the anthropomorphic snowman Olaf is complicated as he has to perform and command a puppet at the same time.
“The greatest thing about Olaf is that he says it how he sees it, he doesn’t really have a filter, and the cup is always half-full. It’s full of so much joy. And it’s so much fun to play because seeing everything through rose-colored glasses is just so much fun. I think we can all be a little bit more like Olaf,” Matt said.
“Now, the complexity of having to now tell that story through a puppet, I mean, it’s been challenging. But it’s been something that’s so rewarding because when I run on stage, the audible gasp from the audience is quite overwhelming… They’re just absolutely gorgeous characters. It’s truly so amazing to get the chance to play Olaf.”
Benjamin praised the two actors for their interpretation of such popular, if not already iconic characters.
“We really champion people finding their own take on these characters. There are things that you have to do, obviously, but we want to see their own take on that because it’s a story not told truthfully if you’re not injecting some of your own personality in there,” Benjamin said.
“And so it’s just navigating through that has been the challenge. To watch these performers grow over the last two years into these roles is absolutely beautiful.”
Meanwhile, for Benjamin, the biggest challenge in directing the musical is “bringing the story alive.”
“There are so many expectations because obviously it is such a loved film. Being true to that and really navigating through people’s personalities in order to tell the right story, eight times a week, can be a challenge at times. Other weeks, it’s so easy. Some weeks are not so easy. So, I think that’s a big challenge in itself.”
When asked about how they made sure that Disney’s Frozen was going to be a “joy for all ages,” he said, “Disney is multi-generational and I think that’s a testament to them turning 100 (this 2023).”
“The humor in the show is so adult. People have been thinking it’s a (purely) kids show but it’s really not. It’s so funny that I think adults will find something really gorgeous about it and take away different things from it.
“The kids will always take away what they can from it. But they will also be quite surprised when they see it because it is just gorgeous. And to hear the adults in the foyer after the show, it’s more exciting to hear than hearing the children speak honestly. They love it! They absolutely love it. So, we’ve been really, really cautious of presenting something that everyone can enjoy.”
Prior to Frozen, the show’s producer and presenter also partnered for Disney musicals The Lion King and Aladdin.
“We are grateful to our partners of Base Entertainment Asia for bringing this glorious production to Southeast Asia. Frozen is about a return from isolation and a community healing. And so, we are thrilled to have the opportunity to present this beautiful show there at this moment in time, and we just can’t wait for audiences to experience its remarkable cast, crew and orchestra on the same stage that has been our home in Singapore for years,” said Felipe Gamba, vice president for International Strategy and Licensed Partnerships of Disney Theatrical Productions in an official statement.
“After the amazing season of Aladdin in 2019, I am thrilled to be continuing our partnership with Disney and bringing the megahit musical Frozen to the people in Singapore and beyond in Southeast Asia. For over 12 years now, Base Entertainment Asia has been presenting the biggest of titles in live entertainment across the region and knowing the pulse of what audiences want to watch, you will be seeing many more of the best in live entertainment titles heading to our shore,” also said Chantal Prudhomme, Base Entertainment Asia chief executive officer, in a separate statement.
Frozen also features music and lyrics by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Filipino-American Robert Lopez with book by Oscar-winning writer Jennifer Lee. The musical features a full score, including 12 new songs from the original songwriters, written especially for the stage. Frozen opened on Broadway in March 2018 with the highest box-office advance in Broadway history, and the highest gross of its Broadway season in its first year on Broadway. It has since been staged in North America, London’s West End, Japan and Germany, but the Australian production became the first Frozen to open anywhere in the world outside of Broadway.
Jemma is one of Australia’s favorite leading ladies of musical theater and known for her portrayal as Elphaba in Wicked, which also toured to the Philippines. Matt has starred in stage and screen productions all over the world, including the UK and Australia production of Mary Poppins, the movie Bootmen and So You Think You Can Dance Australia as judge. The resident director Benjamin was originally a performer. He was part of the Miss Saigon revival, where he was worldwide associate choreographer before becoming resident director on Aladdin and Frozen.
(For tickets and other details, check out www.frozenthemusical.sg.)
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